AstaGuru’s Upcoming ‘Dimensions Defined’ Auction Offers A Treasure Trove of Unique Works by Indian Modernists February 16, 2024

AstaGuru’s upcoming ‘Dimensions Defined’ Auction will feature a meticulously curated catalogue of Modern Indian Art, presenting significant works by iconic Indian modernists. Each piece in the auction reflects the diverse and ever-changing artistic landscape in India over the past decades. The curation offers an eclectic selection of works by eminent artists, including Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil, Rabindranath Tagore, M. F. Husain, S. H. Raza, K. H. Ara, F. N. Souza, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, Jogen Chowdhury, G.R. Santosh, J. Swaminathan, K. Laxma Goud, Thota Vaikuntam, K. K. Hebbar, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Sakti Burman, Akbar Padamsee, B. Vithal, H. A. Gade, Satish Gujral and Manu Parekh amongst others. The selection also includes sculptural masterpieces by eminent artists such as Himmat Shah, Amarnath Sehgal, Dhanraj Bhagat and Prodosh Dasgupta. The auction is scheduled for February 22-23, 2024.

Sunny Chandiramani

Talking about the upcoming auction, Sunny Chandiramani, Senior Vice President, Client Relations, AstaGuru Auction House says:

“We take great care to curate a collection that traverses decades, presenting the unfolding tapestry of Indian art through the masterpieces of renowned modernists. This auction offers a distinctive opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to procure extraordinary pieces, each narrating a captivating story of creativity and inspiration. The thoughtfully chosen artworks, including those by luminaries of the PAG generation, mirror the diverse and dynamic artistic panorama that has significantly influenced our cultural narrative.”

S H Raza:

Adorning the cover of the catalogue is a beautiful work by S H Raza, estimated to be acquired for INR 1,50,00,000 – 2,00,00,000. Executed by S H Raza in 1977, this landscape is a fine example of the artist’s preoccupation with utilising colours as symbols. While his early landscapes, executed during the 1950s, depicted several figurative elements, as time progressed, they appeared less and were substituted by expressionism. These vibrant bursts of colour were further enhanced by the palette and brushstrokes.

Rabindranath Tagore:

The auction will also offer a rare gem for collectors, a handwritten notebook by legendary artist and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The presented lot is a historically significant manuscript that details writings on Poush Sankranti, penned by Rabindranath Tagore in February 1930 at Shantiniketan. It is estimated to be acquired at INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000.

M.F. Husain:

Another unique inclusion is lot no 115, a large-scale copper plate triptych by M F Husain, estimated to sell at INR 2,00,00,000 – 3,00,00,0000. Since not many such sculptures are known to have been created by Husain, this unique work engraved with intricate design offers a great insight into Husain’s multifaceted artistic approach. Four wood cut works painted by the artist are also a part of the upcoming auction.

Akbar Padamsee:

Lot number 28 is a magnificent work by Akbar Padamsee, which he executed during an extremely vital transitional phase of his career. Executed in 1963, the presented work is among the abstracted landscapes which became a formative ground of Padamsee’s famous metascapes work. This lot will be offered with an estimate of INR  3,00,00,000 – 4,00,00,000.

Jagdish Swaminathan:

Lot no. 70 is an important creation by artist Jagdish Swaminathan. Through this work, he incorporates a dimension of reality within the realm of his invented abstract world. This lot will be offered with an estimate of INR 2,00,00,000 – 3,00,00,000.

Thota Vaikuntam:

Lot no. 178 is a majestic creation by artist Thota Vaikuntam and captures the scene of a little Krishen gorging on butter in the artist’s signature style motifs and colours. A large-scale creation spanning ten feet, it is estimated to be acquired at INR 80,00,000 – 1,20,00,000.

V S Gaitonde:

A work by one of India’s most revered modernists V S Gaintonde will also feature in the upcoming auction. VS Gaitonde’s eventual arrival upon the visual portrayal of the conscience was an elaborate evolutionary journey substantiated by his internal findings. This work, lot no. 83, is estimated to sell at INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000.

The auction will also showcase several creations in both mediums of paintings and sculptures by artists Krishen Khanna, Himmat Shah, and Manu Parekh.

Krishen Khanna:

Lot no 109, a large-scale acrylic on charcoal painting by Krishen Khanna is estimated to sell at INR 25,00,000 – 30,00,000. A sculptural rendition of his preoccupation with the motif of tiger and elephant is showcased in a magnificent piece of lot no 133. This work is estimated to sell at INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.

Himmat Shah:

Lot no. 54 is a sculpture by artist Himmat Shah, offered with an estimate of INR 20,00,000 – 25,00,000.

Manu Parekh:

Among several creations by Manu Parekh offered in the upcoming auction, lot no. 131 is a beautiful composition titled ‘Temple Festival at Moonlight.’ A rich and exquisite example of his consistent exploration of the holy city of Benares, this work is offered with an estimate of INR 20,00,000 – 30,00,000.

K H Ara:

Lot no. 104, a work by K H Ara is a rare work, an oil on canvas creation from the circa 1940s,  and showcases a distinct departure from Ara’s preferred styles of nudes and still life. This lot is estimated to sell at INR 30,00,000 – 40,00,000.

About AstaGuru

AstaGuru Auction House was conceptualised in the year 2008 with the sole purpose of creating a safe and secure platform to conduct online auctions for Contemporary & Modern Indian Art. Over the years, AstaGuru has curated auctions encompassing diverse categories, our portfolio includes art, jewellery, fine silver, timepieces, textiles, celebrity memorabilia, rare books, numismatic, philately and vintage cars. In 2018, AstaGuru became the first Indian auction house to present an exclusive edition for vintage and classic cars. “AstaGuru has strived to successfully bridge the gap between prospective buyers and consignors by transcending the limitations of live auctions. AstaGuru imparts effortless transparency to the process of acquiring and selling art and rare collectibles. The online module offers bidders the opportunity to bid from the comfort of their houses or while they are on the go.

For more information, please log on to https://www.astaguru.com/

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February 15. Happy Birthday Jogen Chowdhury

 Jogen Chowdhury is an eminent Indian artist whose works delve into the human condition through the amalgamation of Indian traditional influences and contemporary aesthetics. Known as the ‘master of the unbroken line’, he has created varied impressive works throughout his prolific career that feature flowing, uninterrupted lines. His characters often have a distinct caricature-esque look and are replete with symbolism. 

His inspirations lie in his Bengali roots and traditional Indian art forms such as Kalighat. Through this article, we aim to celebrate the legacy of his works on the occasion of his birthday on February 15.

Ms. Ankita Talreja 

Asta Guru

 Vice President

All image copyright by Asta Guru

“Srujananubhuti” Solo show of Paintings by Renowned artist Jitendra Ramesh Divte

DIVINE ENDEAVOURS

Recent work of a contemporary artist, Jitendra R.Divte in Acrylic colours on canvas will be displayed in a solo art show in Jehangir Art Gallery, M.G. Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001 from 19th to 25th February, 2024 between 11 am to 7 pm. It will be open for free public viewing there during the gallery timings and showcase his artistic perceptions about the various temples, religious shrines, vivid places of worship, the buildings of historical and social heritage and relevance etc. in his style via apt colour combinations to suit their thematic relevance in different perspectives of visual fine arts. 

Artist: Jitendra R Divte

Jitendra R. Divte had his art education in fine arts at L.S. Raheja School of Arts, Mumbai, where he stood 7th in order of merit in Maharashtra in 1998. Then he displayed his work on various themes in Army & Navy Building, Kala Ghoda Association, Mumbai, show in 2005 followed by solo art show at Sahil Art Gallery, Mumbai in 2008. 

He also participated in some group art exhibitions at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai, Army & Navy Building, Kala Ghoda Association, Mumbai Art Show, Hirji Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay Art Society Annual Art Show, Vismay Metro Art Gallery, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore etc. He also participated in some International Water Colours art exhibitions in Bangladesh and Russia. He was awarded for his work in water colours in 2017 by IWS INDIA, in 2018 by IWS Bangladesh and in 2021 by IWS Russia. His work was appreciated by the art fraternity in these shows and he received good public response for these presentations. 

The present series in Acrylic Colours on canvas throws light on his artistic impressions and aesthetic perceptions about various historical buildings, their architectural details & the culture & heritage associated with them at various places. He has focussed on presenting the various relevant details at these places in his expressive style using apt colour combinations and their harmony.  He has also highlighted the relevance and sanctity of various temples, religious shrines and places of worship, the heritage and cultural traditions there and their significant peculiarities. He has made artistic use of morning light, afternoon light, evening light along with shades, shadows, reflections and illumination effects at the desired locations in the work. He has made use of warm and cool colours and achieved their balance for aesthetic and artistic decoration of his work in the relevant perspectives. He has also used various geometrical forms and achieved their rhythmic unison in the work at the strategic arenas in order to get the desired visual perspectives in his work. These works made in an aesthetic and artistic style using acrylic colours on canvas certainly share a dialogue with the viewers leading to their warm response and appreciation.

From: 19^th to 25^th February 2024

“Srujananubhuti”

Solo show of Paintings by Renowned artist Jitendra Ramesh Divte

 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: + 91 9869717246

Windows of Inner Expressions. Art Exhibition by contemporary artist Maitrry P Shah

Windows of Inner Expressions.

        Recent work of a renowned contemporary artist, Maitrry Shah will be displayed in a solo art exhibition in Hirji Jehangir Art Gallery, M.G. Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400001 from 19^th to 25^th February, 2024. It will be open there for free public viewing daily from 11 am to 7pm.  This show will showcase her profound instincts and artistic conceptualisations about various facets of human psyche through a metaphorical motif of windows.

        Maitrry Shah hails from Ahmedabad where she had her earlier education and guidance in visual arts. Then she spent her formative years in Gandhinagar under the guidance and support of many art promotors. She got her Doctorate in fine Arts from IEMS leading to a firm basis and foundation. Then she presented her work in numerous solo and group art exhibitions in leading art galleries all over India and abroad. She presented her work in art galleries at Gandhinagar, Bangalore, Jaipur, Bhilwara-Rajasthan, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Noida, Gurgaon, Manipal, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mauritius, Warsaw-Poland etc. and received good public response and accolades for her presentations. She is a proud recipient of many public appreciations for her work since a young age of 12 years. A proud recipient of prestigious awards and prizes and appreciations from several noteworthy art promotional institutions in India and abroad, her works are in collection of many reputed art collectors and art institutions of national and international reputation ona global level.

        Maitrry Shah has worked in various mediums like oil, acrylic, charcoal and mixed media. Her distinct style captures the range of human emotions with a particular emphasis on the expressions of women. Her brushstrokes convey not only a youthful exuberance but also a wideopen optimism which often resonate through her paintings. Each artwork serves as a window into the innermost thoughts, emotions and a varied experience of human psyche inviting all to engage into visual inspection, conversation, introspection and empathy.

        She has presented a diverse collection of her paintings in this show that truly demonstrate a wide range of universal truths and realms of life in order to contemplate the themes of anticipation, longing, liberation and introspection  in the relevant perspectives of arts.

        Deeply fascinated by the intricate nuances of human emotions and wide range of real life experiences, she has created a rich tapestry of human psyche in her creative and innovative endeavours. Each work has been imbued with symbolism, meaning and emotional mindscape of a young sensitive woman in different environments and perspectives. In a way, this presentation of typical artwork is her sensitive ode to the rich tapestry and a spectrum of human psyche and its several facets and norms in apt perspectives of visual arts. 

From: 19^th to 25^th February 2024

"Windows of Inner Expressions”

Art Exhibition by contemporary artist Maitrry P Shah

 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

Hirji Gallery 161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001 Timing: 11am to 7pm